Cadillac is an enigma in New Zealand. For decades, they have been the forbidden fruit of the automotive world – virtually unobtainable and never offered in this corner of the globe. Sure, you might spot a stray left-hand-drive import floating around, but the arrival of a factory-new, right-hand-drive model is a genuine event.
Driving the Lyriq here offers a rare kind of exclusivity. Everywhere I went, heads turned. People remarked that they had never seen one in the flesh. It is a striking machine; you won’t mistake it for anything else. In the States, they call this a “mid-sized” SUV, but let’s be real – at 5 meters long, sitting on massive 21-inch rims with 275mm tires, this is a large, imposing electric SUV.
You drive a Cadillac because you want people to know you’ve arrived. It’s a statement piece – big, comfortable, fast, yet effortlessly cool. It’s the kind of car you dream of being chauffeured in between red carpet events or international gigs. It doesn’t just drive; it sails.
Founded in 1902 by Henry M. Leland, Cadillac has always represented the crème de la crème of American motoring. It is the car of the stars. They dream about it, buy it, and sing about it. In fact, the Lyriq’s name nods to the sheer volume of songs referencing the brand. GM even celebrated this with a ‘Cadillac of Playlists’ on Spotify, which became my soundtrack for the week.
The cabin is a lesson in restrained elegance. It is attractive without being cluttered, featuring sensible buttons (thankfully) for key functions. The designers have subtly woven the badge motif throughout the interior – on the screen, the rear-vision mirror, and the center console – showing a consistency of design language that only comes from generations of heritage.
Elegance meets “bling”, embossed leather, chromed surfaces, and a massive continuous screen that spans the dashboard. The auditory experience is equally impressive, with active noise cancellation and 19 AKG speakers hidden behind beautiful metal covers. Whether you are in the superb front seats or the equally highly-specced rear, it is a very pleasant environment.
Thanks to double-glazing, the ride is whisper-quiet – a perfect space to eat up the miles. The car packs a punch, too. With two motors delivering 388 kW and 610 Nm of torque, it has plenty of “oomph” to shove its 2,687 kg frame around. Acceleration is swift and progressive, and the AWD ensures the grip matches the power.
While you can use one-pedal driving, the standout feature for me was the pressure-sensitive lever on the steering wheel for adjustable regenerative braking. It is incredibly natural to use and feels like an innovation that every EV should adopt. The suspension is tuned for comfort (though there is a Sport mode), making it a fabulous intercity limousine or an everything-family-vehicle.
On the open road, driver assistance gently keeps you in your lane, and the range sits around 500 kilometers – roughly Wellington to Hamilton. Hook it up to a fast charger, and you can reclaim 130 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes.
It’s surprisingly easy to live with regardless of its size,. Maneuvering into tight spots is managed by a stellar camera package, sizable mirrors, and distance warnings (which vibrate the seat to get your attention). It isn’t a dash-round-town runabout, but it can go anywhere you need it to.
The Cadillac logo used to proudly sport a “V,” signaling an enormous V8 under the hood. The V is gone, and the V8 has been swapped for electrons, but the authority remains. The modernized shield on the front still commands respect. It doesn’t have the roar, but it certainly has the go. A Cadillac shouts, “Look at me! I’m very successful!” but it stops short of saying, “I’m better than you.” It’s a car of success that pretty much anyone could roll around in and feel pleased with their ride.
